Solar PV Analysis of Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal
The location at Castro Verde Municipality, Beja, Portugal, is quite suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, the amount of electricity produced can vary depending on the season.
During summer and spring, you can expect high levels of solar energy production with around 8.23 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 6.70 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power system. These are ideal times to generate solar power due to longer daylight hours and higher intensity sunlight.
In contrast, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity - producing around 4.78 kWh/day in autumn and an even lower 2.82 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power system.
To make sure you're getting as much energy as possible from your panels all year round, they should be tilted at an angle of about 32 degrees facing South if you have a fixed panel installation at this location - this position maximises exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
As far as environmental or local factors that might hinder your ability to produce solar power here: there could be some potential issues but it would depend on specific local conditions such as shading from buildings or trees which could block sunlight reaching panels; dust or dirt accumulation on panels reducing their efficiency; or heavy snowfall covering panels in winter months although given its Mediterranean climate this is unlikely here compared to more northerly locations.
To prevent these issues impacting your energy production: ensure clear line-of-sight between sun & panel free from shading obstructions where possible when installing; clean panels regularly so they maintain peak performance; consider options like snow guards if heavy snowfall does occur although again this may not be necessary given typical weather patterns at this location.
It's also worth noting that while these preventative measures can help optimize production they won't eliminate seasonal variations in output due to fundamental factors like changes in daylight hours & sun intensity across the year as already mentioned.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 179 locations across Portugal. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Portugal by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Castro Verde Municipality
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.6932, Longitude: -8.0824 (Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 32° South in Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal (Lat/Long 37.6932, -8.0824) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 30° South in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Castro Verde Municipality, Portugal
Castro Verde Municipality is located in the Alentejo region of Portugal, which is characterized by its rolling plains and gentle hills. The area has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The landscape is largely agricultural, featuring vast open fields interspersed with cork oak trees and olive groves.
Given this topography and climate, Castro Verde presents excellent conditions for large-scale solar PV installations. The expansive flat lands are ideal for setting up ground-mounted solar panels. Additionally, the high amount of sunlight received in this region further enhances its suitability for solar energy production.
Areas to the south and east of Castro Verde town itself would be particularly suited due to their extensive open spaces devoid of significant urban development or natural obstacles like forests or mountains that could block sunlight. However, any specific project would also need to consider factors such as local land use regulations, proximity to power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity, potential environmental impact among others.
As always in these cases it's recommended that a detailed feasibility study be conducted before deciding on any large scale project.
Portugal solar PV Stats as a country
Portugal ranks 32nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,801 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of Portugal's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 23rd in the world). Each year Portugal is generating 174 Watts from solar PV per capita (Portugal ranks 29th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Portugal?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Portugal. The Portuguese government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, loans, and tax credits. Additionally, the government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar power. This helps to make investing in solar energy more attractive to businesses.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Portugal? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 1st of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
